Gang street sweeping machine



March 15, 1932. A. P. 'LQFSTRAND 1,849,941

GANG STREET SWEEPING MACHINE Filed Dec 8. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l J E5 0%) L: :i 4,1 J "2a ,3 Q7 12 10 v v o O o r 6 7 INVENTOR. I

Albiiz ELofsTmnd ATTORNEY. I

March 15, 1932; A. P. LOFSTRAND 1,849,941

GANG STREET SWEEPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 I N VEN TOR.

Alb in ffLgsTrandl ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 15, 1932 ALBIN P. rors'riaimn, or CHICAGO, nmaoxs "GANG STREET swEErINe MACHILTE Application filed December 8, 1930. Serial No. 500,903.

This inventionrelates to a street sweeping machine and has for its object to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth a machine of the class referred to including a gang or set of sweeper units at each side and at the back thereof and with the sweeper units of each set arranged relatively to each other in a mannerwhereby a thoroughly efficient sweeping action is had during the travel of the machine over the surface to be swept.

further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including gangs or sets or sweeper units so constructed and arranged to enable the units of each gang or set to be independently or simultaneously elevated or lowered when occasion requires.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including a gang orset of sweeper units for extension from each side thereof and with the rear units of each gang or set arranged inwardly with respect to the forward units thereby providing for cleaning different stretches of the surface which is to be swept and with each unit including a removable container for receiving the material swept up when the unit is active.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

machine of the class referred to including a gang orset of sweeper units for projection from each side thereof and further with means whereby the units of each set can be independently or simultaneously elevated to clear any obstruction in the path of the unit upon the surface which is being swept.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to which is com-- paratively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently operated, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of arts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:'-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a sweeper machine in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.-

Figure 3 is aside'elev'a tion of one form of sweeper'unit.

Figure l is a side elevation of a modified form of sweeper unit.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of still another modified form of sweeper unit. I

The machine'includes a truck 1. of the automotive type and has that portion ofthe body thereof which projects rearivardly from the drivers seat 2 in the form of'a platform o. The machine includes a set of sweeper units for projection from each side of the platform 3 and a set of sweeper units for projection from the rear end of platform 3 The number of units ofeach set can be as desired, and by way of example each set is shown as consisting of three units; Theunits of each set can be independently or simulta neously lowered when occasion requires from platform 3 by any suitable means, and the means illustrated for such purpose issho'wn by way of example. i

In Figures 1 and 2 the sweeper units" of one side set are indicated at 4, 5 and 6 and those of theother side set at 7, 8an'd 9. Thesweeper units of the rear set are designated at 1'0, 11 and 12-. The sweeper units shown in Fig"- ures 1" and 2 are of the form illustrated in Figure 3. V

Associated with each set of sweeper units is a set of spaced standards corresponding in number to the numberof units, and as illustrate'd' there is secured upon the platform 3 at one side thereof a set of spaced standards 13, 14 and 15' and at the other side thereof a set of spaced standards 16, 17 and 18 and at'the' rear end thereof a set of spaced standards 19, 20 and 21. Each standardhas Ice its top formed with a pair of spaced sleeves 22 arranged in endwise opposed relation. The sleeves 22 of each set of standards align with each other. Extending through the sleeves of each set of standards is astationary shaft. The shafts for the sides sets of standards are designated at 23, 24 and the shaft for the rear set of standards is indicated at 25.

the units 4, 5 and 6 as at 26,27 and 28 re-' spectiv'ely'are forwardly directed arms 29, 30 and 31 respectively, to the forward ends of units 7, 8 and 9 as at 32, 33 and 34 respectively are forwardly directed arms 35, 36 and 37 respectively, and to the forward ends of unitslO, 11 and 12 as at 38, 39 and 40 respectively are forwardly directed arms'41, 42 and 43 respectively. The arms 41, 42 and 43 are termed carriers for units 10, 11 and 12.

Secured to the forward ends of the arms 29, 30 and 31 are carriers 44, 45 and 46 respectively for units 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Secured to the forward ends of the arms 35, 36 and 37 are carriers 47, 48 and 49 respectively for the units 7, 8 and 9 respectively. The carriers 44 and 47 are of the same length but .of greater length than the carriers 45, 46, 48 and 49. The carriers 45 and 48 are of the same length, but of greater length than the carriers 46 and 49. The carriers 41 to 49 both inclusive each has its upper portion angularly disposed with respect to its remaining portion, or in other words, the inner portion of each carrier is angularly disposed with respect to its remaining portion and this arrangement is clearly shown in Figure 2 with respect to the carrier 41. The carriers 42, 43 are of the same length. but of greater .length than the carrier 41. The carriers 44,

4,5 and 46 are pivotally mounted on the sha t 23. The carriers 47, 48 and 49 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 24 and the carriers 41, 42 and 43 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 25. The carriers are pivotally mounted at points between their transverse medians and inner ends. Each carrier is pivotally mounted upon its respective shaft between a pair of sleeves 22. The carriers 46, and 47 have right angularly disposed arms at their inner ends as at 50, 51. The carriers 47 and 49 have right angularly disposed arms at their inner ends as at 52, 53 respectively. The carriers 42 and 43 have their inner ends provided ill with angularly disposed arms 54 and 55 respectively. The carriers are provided for coupling the sweeper units with the truck 1 and furthermore function to elevate and-lower the sweeper units when occasion requires.

Associated with the carriers of one side set of sweeper'units is an elevating and lowering means 55 therefor. Associated with the carriers of the other side set of sweeper units is an elevating and loweringv means 56 J therefor and associated with the'carriers of the rear set of sweeper units is an elevating and lowering means 57 therefor. Each of said means will permit of the carriers with which said means is associated to selectively or simultaneously elevate or lower the carriers when occasion requires. Each elevating and lowering means includesa shaft 58 rotatably supported on platform 3,a crank handle 59 for rotating the shaft, drums corre- Pivotally connected to the forward ends of spending in number to the number of the carriers with which such means is associated, the drums being indicated at 60, 61 and 62, an independent clutching device 63 for each drum to'couple it to and uncouple it from the. shaft 58, and elevating and lowering cables 64, and 66 carried by the drums 60, 61 and 62.

The cables 64 of the means 55, 56 and 57- are connected to the inner ends of carriers 45, 48 and 41 respectively. The cables 65 of the means 55, 56 and 57 are connected to the arms 50, 52 and 54 respectively and the cables 66 of the means 55, 56 and 57 are connected to the arms 51, 52 and 55 respectively.

From the arrangement of windingdrums and cables as shown, each unit of a set can be independently elevated or lowered and the units of each set can be'simultaneously elevated or lowered. The elevation of the side units is had when an obstruction is in the path of the unit.

Each's et of sideunits has the forward unit arranged outwardly with respect to the intermediate unit and the intermediate unit arranged outwardly with respect to the rear unit. The rear set of units has the outer units arranged a substantial distance rearwardly with respect to the inner unit. By this arrangement the units act upon diflerent stretches of the surface to be. swept during the travel of the machine.

The form of sweeper units shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 includes an upwardly inclined U-shaped casing 67 having a pair of side extensions 68 at its rear or lower end. The casing extends forwardly and at an upward inclination when the unit is active; The casing not only provides a support for an axle 69, but also for a series ofbrush carrying shafts 70, 71 and 72. The upper end of casing 67 is formed with an inwardly extending pair of arms 73 to which a forwardly directed arm of a carrier of a side or a rear unit is pivoted.

That portion of the upper end of casing 67 below the arm 73 is open. The upper-end of the bottom of casing 67 is downturned.

The axle 69 has attached thereto a pair of traction wheels 74 and a sprocket wheel" 75. The wheels 74 and 75 are arranged ex teriorly of one side of the casing 67. The

outer ends of shafts 70, 7 1. and 72 are provided with sprocket pinions 76, 77 and 78 respectively. The shaft 7 O carries a sprocket pinion 79 which is driven from the sprocket gear and is larger than pinion 76. Driven from the sprocket pinion 76 and operating the sprocket pinion 77 is a chain 80. Driven from the sprocket pinion 77 and operating the sprocket pinion 78 is a chain 81. The sprocket pinion 76 drives the shaft 7 O. The sprocket pinion 77 drives the shaft 71 and the sprocket pinion 78 drives the shaft 72. The shaft 72 is supported in the extensions 68. Carried by the shafts 70, 71 and 72 are brushes 82, 83 and 84.

The casing 67 also provides a conductor or chute for the swept up material for discharging it into a collector 85. The casing 67 discharges at its upper end into the collector 85. The brush 84 depends below the extensions 68 and travels on the surface which is to be swept. The collector 85 is loosely suspended, as at 86 from a forwardly directed arm of a carrier of a side or a rear unit and is maintained in spaced relation above the surface upon which the brush 84 is active. The brush 84 is driven in a man nor to sweep the material up into the casing 67 and the brushes 83 and 82 then act to connections are not shown. A pair of supporting wheels or rollers 89 are arranged in proximity to the lower end of the casing 67 so that the weight of the motor will not act upon brush 84 to contract or compress it. Otherwise than that as stated the form of sweeper unit illustrated in Figure 4 is the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 8.

In the form of sweeper unit shown in Figure 5 a casing 90 is provided having each end and its bottom open. Mounted on casing 90 is an electric motor in circuit with a source of power. The circuit connections are not shown. The casing 90 has its top provided with a lug 92 which is pivotally connected as at 93 to a forwardly directed arm of a carrier of a side or a rear unit. Suspended from each end of casing 90 is a collector 94. The open ends of the casing 90 extends into the collector 94. The casing '90 carries a pair of rotatable brush shafts 95, 96 provided with brushes 97, 98 respectively. The brushes 97 and 98 operate in the direction of the arrows Figure 5. One end of the shaft is provided with a pulley 99. One end of the shaft 96 is provided with a pulley 100. The pulleys 99 and 100 are operatively connected together by twisted belt 101 to provide for the operation of the shafts 95, 96 in opposite directions whereby the brushes will sweep the material in the direction of the arrows Figure 5. Op-

erated from the motor 91 is a transmission belt 102 for thepulley 100.

What I claim is 1. A gang street sweeping machine comprising a mobile structure, sweeper units, each provided with a pair of supporting wheels, a removably suspended collector, for receiving and holding the dirt swept up and a plurality of opposed brushes driven from said wheels for sweeping the dirt to the col- 7 lector, carriers connected to said structure, secured to said units and pro ecting from each side and rearwardly from the rear end of said structure, and means for selectively elevating said carriers.

2. A gang street sweeping-machine comprising a mobile structure, sweeper units arranged in sets, carriers arranged in sets, each set of carriers bodily carrying a set of units, said sets of carriers projecting from the sides and rear end of said structure, means for connecting each carrier to said structure,

and means for selectively elevating a carrier riers for the rear set of units to the rear of said structure, and means carried by said structure for selectively and simultaneously elevating the carriers of each set, each of said units including aremovably suspended collector for receiving and holding the dirt I swept up thereby, surface travelling elements and means operated from said elements for sweeping the dirt into the collector.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

ALBIN P. LOFSTRAND. 

